Celebrated every year on 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia AKA IDAHOBIT marks the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its classification of diseases and related health problems.
32 years ago – on May 17, 1990 – the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. On this date each year, IDAHOBIT celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.
Today is the day where we acknowledge the many struggles of the community and come together with both allies and community members to raise awareness and challenge homophobic, biphobic, intersexist and transphobic language and behaviour when it’s safe to do so. Today is about both building LGBTQIA+ inclusion and fighting discrimination, with allies and LGBTQIA+ folks who must stand together to create lasting change.
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In Australia today, 75% of LGBTIQA+ youth experience some form of discrimination and 77% of Trans & Gender Diverse people report being discriminated against in the past 12 months alone.
35% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal assault in the past 12 months, while 39% of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced depression in the last 12 months, compared to 6.2% of the general population.
That’s a heck of a lot of people who are being discriminated against, assaulted and bullied based on their identity.
By going rainbow today for IDAHOBIT, you can lead change, build LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and advocate for schools, workplaces and communities where LGBTQIA+ people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them.
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Recognising Discrimination
Transphobia
Describes negative feelings or actions towards someone who’s trans or gender diverse. You may have heard transphobic language like ‘tr*nny’, or seen restrictions on the way that people are allowed to express their gender. Things like which uniform you’re allowed to wear or toilets you can use. Transphobia can also include abusive threats or actual physical violence, sexual harassment and deliberately excluding someone because of their gender.
Homophobia
Verbal homophobia is the most common form. Things like name-calling, rumours and abusive words (‘fag’ or ‘dyke’). Phrases like “that’s so gay” which compare sexuality to words like ‘crap’ can have a negative impact.
Homophobia also include abusive threats or actual physical violence, sexual harassment and deliberately excluding someone because of their sexuality.
Biphobia
Biphobia is abuse towards someone who is attracted to more than one gender, and even includes when that person’s identity is erased. This can be in the form of telling someone that their sexuality is “just a phase”, or even telling them to “pick a side.”
Interphobia
Intersex discrimination happens when a person is treated less favourably than another person in a similar situation because that person has physical, hormonal or genetic features that are neither wholly female nor wholly male; a combination of female and male; or neither female nor male. This can include exclusion or mistreatment in medical services.
Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia can occur online, face to face and affect everyone by creating spaces where people feel unsafe and like they can’t be themselves. Sexuality and gender identity or intersex status aren’t always visible, so creating a culture where everyone feels safe, even if there aren’t any visible LGBTI people is even more important.
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How to celebrate IDAHOBIT
May 17 is celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal. Thousands of initiatives, big and small, are reported throughout the planet.
Miss Universe Australia 2020, LGBTQIA+ advocate, creator and writer Maria Thattil believes that IDAHOBIT is a day for the whole community to build LGBTQIA+ inclusion which is important “because simply, systemic discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community still exists. Equality and freedom are fundamental human rights, and yet there are exemptions based on different belief systems that allow harassment, hostility, bullying, isolation, fear and violence against the LGBTQIA+ community to persist.
“We want a world where the community doesn’t have to worry about violence, conversion therapy, discrimination when it comes to housing, employment, education, opportunities, access to healthcare, bathrooms or justice… fundamental rights that are unfortunately a privilege in today’s world.”
So there’s still a long way to go despite the strides made.
Maria though has a few tips for LGBTQIA+ allies, and for alllies-to-be. The biggest thing is to give it a go, and to listen to those around you. “Check your own privileges and start by listening, remaining open-minded and being respectful to different lived experiences as you learn about them. When you confront your own biases, it can be uncomfortable, but remember that ‘ally’ is an action – not a title.”
If you’d like to do your part to celebrate today, as part of the community, as a business, or as an ally, here are some simple ways to get involved:
Host an event
Bring family and friends together by hosting a rainbow dinner party, after work drinks, a rainbow picnic, or LGBTQIA+ themed movie night.
You could even fundraise by encouraging everyone to donate what they’d normally spend on a night out.
A regional Victorian’s guide to supporting local queens this Pride Month, and all year round
Go Digital
We’ve all had loads of practice doing things digitally now – and it’s still a great way to bring everyone together, no matter your location! Our faves? Rainbow digital trivia night, online rainbow crafternoon, digital drinks, or even live-streamed group workout!
Start A Project
When it comes to the workplace, employers can use IDAHOBIT as a way to to launch a project that supports sexual and gender diversity. It could be the formation of an LGBTIQ committee or announcing a plan to support the LGBTIQ community.
Give a little
Use IDAHOBIT to add the Minus18 Foundation to your workplace or local giving programs, or organise a unique fundraiser to support LGBTIQ youth.
Shout It Proud
Use your networks to promote your involvement in the day. Share photos from your events on the day using the hashtag #IDAHOBIT and show the world why supporting LGBTIQ community is so important.
Don’t forget the rainbows!
The more rainbows, the bigger the impact! Grab a Pride Pack, filled with everything you need for a great IDAHOBIT event, from fundraising ribbons to conversation cards, flags to cupcake flags. Plus, you’ll be equipped to champion inclusivity year-round!
“I believe people overthink allyship and it makes it hard to figure out the best place to start. Regardless if we’re talking about being an ally to the gay, trans and gender diverse, asexual communities or the broader community, the best place we can start is to see, listen and understand,” says Albert Kruger, CEO of Sydney Mardi Gras.
“It can be easy to brush past or feel hesitant about something you don’t understand, so take the time to ‘see’ a person’s experience, listen to them and understand them. From there the puzzle pieces will come together naturally for you and soon enough you’ll have the whole picture. Remember, being a good ally is an ongoing journey and commitment, you just have to take the first step.”
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How the local councils are celebrating IDAHOBIT
Geelong, Ballarat and the Surf Coast will be celebrating IDAHOBIT today.
The City of Ballarat will join with the community to stand against LGBTIQA+ discrimination with the raising of the Rainbow Flag on 17 May at the community flagpole from 4.15pm, to mark International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). This year IDAHOBIT is being marked with a flag raising ceremony with speeches from City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney (he/him) and representatives from community groups and organisations.
The ceremony will be followed by a community event at the Ballarat Library which will have an LGBTIQA+ musician playing, supper, and free interactive workshops. A Rainbow Hearts flag will also be unveiled which has been hand-crafted at four community workshops run by City of Ballarat Youth Facilitators at the Ballarat and Sebastopol libraries in April and May. More than 850 hearts have been joined together to create the display in support of diversity in love.
Cr Moloney said days like IDAHOBIT were so important in breaking down societal stigmas and making Ballarat a city of inclusivity.
“IDAHOBIT gives us all a chance to celebrate the LGBTIQA+ people in our lives that mean so much to us personally and who make up a significant part of the Ballarat population,” he said.
“It’s so important for everyone in our community to take a stand against discrimination in our community and stand side-by-side with one another to create a stronger and more inclusive Ballarat.
“I am incredibly proud as Mayor to be a leader in our community that supports and upholds the rights and protections of LGBTIQA+ people through many of the activities, strategies, and policies of Council.
“Our doors are always open and our ears are always listening to the almost 10 per cent of Ballarat’s population that identify as LGBTIQA+ so we can best support you.”
This side of the region, the City of Greater Geelong is holding a discussion panel today, with the theme ‘Success, Courage, Pride and Overcoming Adversity’.
Geelong very own stylist Deni Todorovic AKA ‘Style By Deni’ will be a guest speaker alongside panelists from Geelong organisations as they share their stories of success, courage, pride and overcoming adversity. While the event is sold out, you can watch it online here. This in-person and live-streamed event is brought to you by the City, Barwon Health, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), WorkSafe Victoria, Geelong Rainbow, Wellways and drummond street services.
The Surf Coast Council has been flying the rainbow flag at its Torquay office during May to show its support, and will be celebrating IDAHOBIT day by supporting community events that mark the day and help address bias and violence experienced by LGBTQIA+ people.
The Torquay Scouts will be hosting a rainbow event, and creating candles and flags; Surf Coast Secondary College will host a colour run, and Q-and-A with the school’s Stand Out group, which celebrates diversity; Anglesea Community House Inc will provide rainbow flags for its childcare, and the purchase of age-appropriate inclusive books and dress-ups to celebrate gender diversity; and SurfCoast For Equality – Pride on the Surf Coast are running a workshop for local businesses to learn and listen, and to create safe spaces.
For more information, head to the website here.
